Wilderness Magashi Newsletter – May 2024

So imagine their surprise, when one evening they realised that the catlike creature slinking along the shoreline turned out to be a fully grown lioness, which then climbed up into a picturesque acacia tree. And, as if having been staged for a photo shoot, she made herself comfortable within this unobstructed vantage point, with the sunset in the background. 

But besides lions and leopards, we were also spoilt with some wonderful hyena sightings. These highly misunderstood queens of the night are always up to something, and while they do not often linger for long, they bless us with short and surprising encounters. One particular sighting of a whole clan of hyenas devouring a fresh zebra carcass was certainly the one which stood out this month.

And while our guests’ favorites among the fur and claws almost guarantee amazing safari experiences, the start of the dry season also marks the season of some more unusual sightings at Magashi. Contrary to popular belief, snakes don’t tolerate hot weather very well. Being reptiles, which cannot regulate their body temperature, snakes have to move around when it is hot in order keep their body temperature down, looking for shady spots during the day and preventing dehydration.

This is why we are likely to see quite a lot a snake activity on game drives at this time of year. Seeing a big snake, is one thing – seeing two snakes mating is on a whole different level and may well be considered a once-in-a-lifetime sighting. Our guides Alphonse and Innocent were both lucky enough to come across a mating pair of black-necked spitting cobras, as well as a pair of puffadders mating. 

Traditionally May is “Wilderness Move Month”. This initiative aims to encourage all Wilderness staff to lead a healthy and fit lifestyle. In a team run, from Mutumba Hills to the low-lying swamps outside the national park and back, each team member contributed their personal distances they’d run, making an impressive total of 195 kilometres run by the Magashi team in one morning!

In May our Children in the Wilderness (CITW) Rwanda representatives Aline Umutoni and Jean Damascene Nkuriragenda visited Akayange Primary and Rwabiharamba Secondary schools outside Akagera National Park to spend time with the students and the teachers. The last term of the school year is in full swing with our Environmental Clubs meeting every Wednesday afternoon. Aline and Jean Damascene also organised a parent-student meeting for the 30 children at Rwabiharamba Secondary School who are sponsored by a CITW Scholarship for the duration of their six years of secondary schooling.

Besides these discussion points, Aline and Jean Damascene established a parents’ committee at the school through a vote among all the parents. The parents’ committee will ensure streamlined lines of communication between our CITW team, the school, the students and the parents.

In May our Children in the Wilderness Rwanda (CITW) representatives Aline Umutoni and Jean Damascene Nkuriragenda visited Akayange Primary and Rwabiharamba Secondary schools outside Akagera National Park to spend time with the students and the teachers. The last term of the school year is in full swing with our Environmental Clubs meeting every Wednesday afternoon.

Aline and Jean Damascene also organized a parent-student meeting for the 30 children at Rwabiharamba Secondary School who are sponsored by a CITW Scholarship for the duration of their six years of secondary schooling.

Besides these discussion points, Aline and Jean Damascene established a parents’ committee at the school through a vote among all the parents. The parents’ committee will ensure streamlined lines of communication between our CITW team, the school, the students and the parents.

Topics like discipline, respect, school results, teamwork, good communication and necessary coaching were discussed, all of which will ensure the best possible outcome for all the students.
We wish all the students a successful end to their school year, with the coming month of June being filled with important year-end exams and other closing events.